Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands is launching early next year, and from a gameplay perspective, there is a whole lot to be excited about. The game will feature brand-new spells and melee weapons in addition to the expected lineup of guns, with several Borderlands manufacturers bringing their signature loot to the table. Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands overworld map is something that could only be seen in a spin-off like this, and it should add a whole new layer to exploration.
However, the story for Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands is where the game could end up struggling to meet fan expectations. Borderlands 2’s Assault on Dragon Keep expansion spun a moving story centered around Tina’s grief, and it is something that should not be retold. With both that expansion and this new game sharing a fantasy setting, as well as a Dungeons and Dragons approach where Tina shapes the story, they will surely be compared heavily. As such, it will not be long before fans notice what made Borderlands’ first foray into fantasy so memorable.
What Made Assault on Dragon Keep So Impactful
Tiny Tina’s Assault on Dragon Keep worked well for a number of reasons, but its main narrative was a key contributor to its success. It is also a reason why Tiny Tina is as popular as she is now, as it made the explosives-loving teenager even more sympathetic than she already was. The whole game deals with Tina being in denial about Roland’s death. As she plays with the Vault Hunters, she tells them that he’ll join the game soon and even inserts his character into the story.
Eventually, Tina lets down her happy facade and admits that Roland is dead. Her entire game was focused on coping with the grief that came from the loss of a father figure, and Dragon Keep’s final cutscene sees Tina hugging the statue at Roland’s Rest. It is a truly powerful moment that makes Tina a deep character who is more than just another source of laughs, and it helps elevate Dragon Keep to a level above that of other Borderlands expansions. Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands cannot risk retreading the same territory, though, as focusing on Roland’s passing once again could cheapen the story that was already told.
Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands’ Story Could Still Be Good
Story-wise, Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands is immediately at a disadvantage, as it cannot have the same type of plot without feeling repetitive. While there is a lot of potential in showing Tina’s path to maturity, as the game is set shortly after Borderlands 2, it will likely lack the emotional punch that Assault on Dragon Keep had. For those expecting a story that hits as hard as that one did, they may be let down a bit.
That said, Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands can still tell a solid story. There was a lot that worked about Assault on Dragon Keep beyond its sad moments, with the fantasy references, neat enemy types, and Tina changing the world leading to a lot of funny moments. These will surely be kept intact with Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands, and Gearbox can lean into them further to create a story that is more about having a good time than moving its players to tears.
Humor has always been a strength of Borderlands, and with the talented cast that has been confirmed for Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands, it will likely be focused on even more in this new game. Learning about Frette and Valentine should be a good time, and while there may not be some big point behind Tina’s latest Bunkers and Badasses campaign, there might not need to be. While it will be hard to beat the Roland-focused sendoff that was Assault on Dragon Keep, the fight with the Dragon Lord being entirely focused on fun is hardly a bad thing.
Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands launches March 25, 2022 on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.